On January 1st 2020 Economics Professor John Quiggin estimated there would be hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths attributed to the deadly bushfire smoke that affected up to 80 per cent of Australia’s population, including in major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, during the climate fuelled 2019-2020 bushfire season.

A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia in March 2020 estimated the excess health burden during 19 weeks continuous fire activity in the states most severely affected by bushfire smoke. It found that at least 445 deaths could be attriibuted to the bushfire smoke and the PM2.5 air pollution particulates, and over 4,000 hospitalisations.(more…)

Researchers at the Australian National University say that heat related deaths have been greatly underestimated. In the 11 years between January 2006 and October 2017 an estimated 36,765 deaths in Australia can be attributed to heat-related causes.

As we know climate change is increasing average temperatures and the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events in Australia.(more…)

The Management of Virgin Airlines has put the company into administration, due to the impact of the pandemic in reducing need for essential travel, and the huge debt the airline has accumulated. Most Virgin planes are presently sitting at airports, huge stranded assets.

Labort MP for Wills, Peter Khalil, has said in a Facebook Post Labor has been calling on the Morrison Government to Save Virgin. But is this the wisest move given the future for passenger aviation demand in a pandemic with no assurances of a vaccine available and the level of greenhouse gas emissions and climate impact by aviation?

Virgin Airlines is presently owned by Etihad Airways (20.94%), Singapore Airlines (20.09%), Nanshan Group (19.98%), HNA Group (19.82%), Virgin Group (10.42%). Bailing out Virgin is bailing out foreign corporations, some of these owned by other nations.(more…)

Climate Fair event on Saturday postponed due to rapid escalation of the Coronavirus CorVid-19 public health response.

Climate organisations in Moreland have been working to organise a climate fair to be held at Wilson Avenue in Brunswick on Saturday 14 March, with the assistance and co-operation of state Greens MP Tim Read.

With the cancellation of the Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend, it is clear that major gatherings of people poses a major public health commumnity transmission risk. Social distancing needs to be employed to reduce level of virus transmission.

Slowing down community transmission of this virus is important to ensure the public health system has the resources to repond adequately to the level of demand required.

Dr Tim Read, the local state MP for Brunswick, put out a statement saying “It now seems the wrong time to bring people together for any non-essential reason.”

“While the Fair would likely be safer than a tram or a classroom, Perceptions matter in campaigning.”(more…)

The Victorian Parliament on Wednesday supported a Greens motion in the Legislative Council, looking at pathways for Victoria to be powered by 100 per cent clean energy, including the economic and employment benefits of such an energy transition.

Victoria currently has a 50 per cent renewables target by 2030. Coal currently provides 70 per cent of the state’s electricity.

The Inquiry won’t start until later in 2020 or early 2021, highlighted Samantha Ratnam in breaking the news in a Facebook post.(more…)

Our main engagement activity was collecting signatures for our petition to City of Moreland to amend their Procurement Policy with regard to businesses that sign contracts to do work with the Adani Coal mine. If you missed us on the day, you can sign our digital version of the petition to Moreland City Council on Adani.(more…)